SAF102-LECTURE 7: INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

TERMINOLOGY
 OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
o PEL – Permissible Exposure Limit
 NIOSH – National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
o REL – Recommended Exposure Level
 ACGIH – American Conference for Governmental Industrial Hygienists
o TLV – Threshold Limit Value

UNITS OF CONCENTRATION
 ppm – parts per million
 Mg/m^3 – milligrams per cubic meter
 mppcf – millionth of a particle per cubic foot
 f/cc – fibers per cubic centimeter

INTRODUCTION
Industrial hygiene is the science or art that is devoted to the anticipation, recognition,
evaluation, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the
workplace, that may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant
discomfort and inefficiency among workers.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY HEALTH ACT OF 1970

The OSH Act is to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the
nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources.

HISTORY OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

The history of industrial hygiene started since
 370 BC – Hippocrates identifies lead poisoning in metallurgists and miners
 2nd century AD – Gale identifies copper miners’ exposure to acid mist
 50 AD – Pliny the elder identifies use of animal bladders intended to prevent
inhalation of zinc and sulfur fumes introduced the use of protective mask
 1473 – Ulrich Ellenbog publication of occupational illness in gold miners.
 1556 – Georgus Agricola describes diseases and accidents associated with
mining, smelting, and refining. Publication of “De Re Metallica”
 1567 – Pracelsus described respiratory diseases among miners
 1700 – Bernardino Ramazzini known as Father of Industrial Hygiene. Published
“De Morbis Artificum Diatriba”—diseases of workers.
ELEMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
The three definite elements in industrial hygiene are the:
1. Anticipation
2. Recognition
3. Evaluation and
4. Control of occupational health hazards
The recognition of health hazards has primacy, since it must take place before proper
evaluation or if needed control can take place.
Upon recognition of a health hazard, the industrial hygienist should be able to identify
measures necessary for proper evaluation.

ROUTES OF ENTRY
1. Inhalation – airborne contaminants
2. Absorption – penetration through skin
3. Ingestion – eating and drinking

OSHA HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

 Engineering Controls
 Work Practice Controls
 Administrative Controls and the use of
 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

TYPES OF EXPOSURE
1. Acute – short term period between exposure and onset of symptoms
2. Chronic – long-term, sometimes permanent, health effects due to repeated
exposure to certain chemicals. Sometimes, chronic effects can occur at
concentrations below which acute effects are experienced
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS OR STRESSES
Chemical Hazards
1. Gases
2. Vapors
3. Dusts
4. Fumes
5. Mists
6. Smoke
Physical Hazards
1. Non-Ionizing Radiation
2. Ionizing Radiation
3. Noise
4. Vibration
5. Extreme Temperatures
6. Extreme Pressures
Biological Hazards/Microorganisms
1. Insects
2. Molds
3. Yeast
4. Fungi
5. Bacteria
6. Virus
Ergonomic Hazards
1. Work Station Design
2. Repetitive Motion
3. Improper Lifting
4. Improper Reaching
5. Poor Visual Condition
Microorganisms
1. Insects
2. Molds
3. Yeast
4. Fungi
5. Bacteria
6. Virus

TYPES OF AIR CONTAMINANTS

Fibers
1. Solids, slender, elongated structures
 2. Length several times the diameter
Gases
1. Formless fluids that expand to occupy a space.
2. Arc-welding
3. Internal combustion engine exhaust air
Vapors
1. Liquid changed to vapor – organic solvents
29 CFR 1910.1000
1. Table Z-1 – substances with limits Preceded by “C” ceiling values
2. Table Z-2 – employee’s exposure to Table Z-1 contaminants shall not exceed
exposure limits listed in Z-2 (TWA and ceiling concentrations)
3. Table Z-3 – Mineral dusts

Hearing Conservation Program

2.9million workers experience for 8-hour noise exposure
> 85 Decibels
Requires engineering and administrative controls
Exposure monitoring audiometric testing, hearing projection, record keeping and
employee training

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
There are three possible ways you can be exposed to chemical:
1. Inhalation or breathing chemical vapors
a. May cause reduced lung function
2. Skin and eye contact
a. Spraying two component SPF chemicals into the air that could pose
potential inhalation and skin exposure hazard
3. Ingestion
a. Avoid eating, drinking, or other hand-to-mouth contact near SPF
chemicals
b. Remove gloves and wash your hands after working with chemicals.
OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor
- Describes actions employers must take to reduce risk of chemical exposure in
the workplace
- Exposure Control Plan (ECP)

UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE LIMITS

 Applicable exposure limits can be found on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
 Some chemicals you work with may or may not have exposure limits
 Consult the SDS for appropriate precautions when working with these chemicals
as well.
BLOOD PATHOGENS
Bloodborne Pathogens include:
1. Hepatitis B
2. HIV
3. Other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
29 CFR 1910.1030
- Describes actions employers must take to reduce risk of exposure in the
workplace
- Exposure Control Plan (ECP)